From 25b0412204fd8dbe483c5356fe7d9aefd78be07e Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Florian Preinstorfer <site-github@nblock.org>
Date: Tue, 20 Jan 2026 19:50:08 +0100
Subject: [PATCH] Use registration key instead of machine key

---
 docs/ref/api.md               | 2 +-
 docs/usage/getting-started.md | 8 ++++----
 2 files changed, 5 insertions(+), 5 deletions(-)

diff --git a/docs/ref/api.md b/docs/ref/api.md
index a99e679c..f837eebe 100644
--- a/docs/ref/api.md
+++ b/docs/ref/api.md
@@ -54,7 +54,7 @@ Headscale server at `/swagger` for details.
 
     ```console
     curl -H "Authorization: Bearer <API_KEY>" \
-        -d user=<USER> -d key=<KEY> \
+        -d user=<USER> -d key=<REGISTRATION_KEY> \
         https://headscale.example.com/api/v1/node/register
     ```
 
diff --git a/docs/usage/getting-started.md b/docs/usage/getting-started.md
index e468a7b7..290651a7 100644
--- a/docs/usage/getting-started.md
+++ b/docs/usage/getting-started.md
@@ -109,20 +109,20 @@ On a client machine, run the `tailscale up` command and provide the FQDN of your
 tailscale up --login-server <YOUR_HEADSCALE_URL>
 ```
 
-Usually, a browser window with further instructions is opened and contains the value for `<YOUR_MACHINE_KEY>`. Approve
-and register the node on your headscale server:
+Usually, a browser window with further instructions is opened. This page explains how to complete the registration on
+your headscale server and it also prints the registration key required to approve the node:
 
 === "Native"
 
     ```shell
-    headscale nodes register --user <USER> --key <YOUR_MACHINE_KEY>
+    headscale nodes register --user <USER> --key <REGISTRATION_KEY>
     ```
 
 === "Container"
 
     ```shell
     docker exec -it headscale \
-      headscale nodes register --user <USER> --key <YOUR_MACHINE_KEY>
+      headscale nodes register --user <USER> --key <REGISTRATION_KEY>
     ```
 
 ### Using a preauthkey